10 Novelties in Åland 2024
Travel with a new ferry, rent a luxurious sauna raft, hike along new nature trails and enjoy rural charm on a farm. New experiences await you on the Åland Islands this year! On this page, you can read about some of them. Which of them sounds most exciting to you?
1. Meet Animals on Family Friendly Farms
This summer, immerse yourself in countryside life at two family-owned farms with a lovely old-fashioned charm! At the farm Mickels Gård, a small scale farm with organic pastures and sustainable practices, you can get close to cows, chickens, rabbits and sheep, visit the farm's museum, and even stay overnight in one of their glamping tents. The farm is located in Gottby, about 8 km from Mariehamn and is open to visitors from Monday to Friday in July.
Syrenbacken, with roots dating back to the 19th century, is located in Hammarland. Here, you can meet goats, horses, pigs, chickens, rabbits, and even a turtle. The farm has a café with homemade treats, a small farm museum, a stick horse racing track, and the opportunity to ride a tractor. It's worth checking the opening hours on Facebook as they may be updated at short notice.
2. In the Footsteps of Stormskerry Maja
© Solar Films / Antti Rastivo
Stormskerry Maja is a fictional female character from the Åland author Anni Blomqvist's novel series, which have been adapted into a TV series and now also a movie. This summer, you can see the new exhibition, In the Footsteps of Stormskerry Maja, at the Åland Cultural History Museum until the end of August. The exhibition offers a behind-the-scenes look at the film shot in Åland during 2022-2023. In addition to film clips, the exhibition will display costumes and other props from the film. Get inspired by the exhibition and then visit the film's shooting locations. Views with red granite cliffs and an open horizon – like on the fictional island Stormskerry – can be found, for example, in the northernmost part of Åland in Geta. Here lies the hotel and restaurant Havsvidden with its spectacular sea views. During the summer, you can also come here by boat and stay overnight in their guest harbour.
3. Telegrafen – A New Hub in the Heart of Mariehamn
This winter, the new central mall, The Telegraph, adjacent to the pedestrian street Torggatan in the heart of Mariehamn, was opened. At the entrance, you'll find the Tourist information where you can get assistance and tips for your visit to Åland, and then plan your next outing at Café Å opposite to the Information. Inside the mall, the Sjöfolk restaurant serves both lunch and dinner around the old telegraph house, from which the entire mall derives its name and which is preserved in the centre of the mall. Here, you can enjoy a glass from the wine bar and delicious snacks from Wykes deli. The Telegraph also houses a supermarket, an organic hair salon, and Alko (the state-owned alcohol retail shop).
4. The Tall Ships Races 24-27 July 2024
Watch as large sailing ships arrive at the Western Harbour in Mariehamn and accompany the majestic sailing ship Pommern! For four days in July, the Western Harbour and the entire town will be filled with crews from different countries as well as visitors from and outside Åland. It will be a street festival with music performances, food trucks, new encounters, and a festive atmosphere spreading from the harbour towards the town centre along the Esplanade. Take the opportunity to stroll around the Western Harbour and soak in the special atmosphere! Also, board the sailing ships docked at the pier and learn more about the ships and life at sea, guided by the crew members.
5. Mariehamn – the Cosiest Town Centre 2024?
Mariehamn, the only town in Åland, has high ambitions – and good conditions – to be named the Finnish City Centre of the Year in 2024. Recently, much effort has been put into improving the charm of downtown Mariehamn, and with fairly simple means, the town has managed to make downtown even cosier. New meeting places have been created in and around the square: The playground has recently been updated with new swings and a new climbing tower for the youngest children's delight, while older children and adults can socialise and play outdoor games like chess, Fia with knuff, or Ping-Pong. The new summer furniture, designed and manufactured in Åland from local wood, has proven to be a success on the summer pedestrian street. The seating areas are decorated with flower plantings and strawberries, appreciated by both children and adults! A new, pleasant park area with a sedimentation pond is emerging along the beach towards Lilla Holmen. The pond will purify stormwater before it flows into the sea. The Museiparken park with cosy seating areas will be completed just in time for Midsummer and will then offer a new green outdoor space for both residents and visitors.
6. Slottsbanan – the Best Golf Course in Finland!
When Finnish golfers recently voted for their favourite among Finland's golf courses, the winner was Åland Golf Club's Slottsbanan. The coastal 18-hole course also won the highest ranking in the categories of best design, most beautiful course, and best-maintained course. Shouldn’t it be enough, the tenth hole of this Nordic top course is also mentioned on the list of the 100 best golf holes in Europe! Åland Golf Club is located about a 20-minute drive from Mariehamn and attracts golfers from both Finland and Sweden. As the course hosted the European Ladies Open in 2022, it now also gathers a lot of international visibility.
7. Relax on the New Sauna Raft M/S Sauna Marin
Sauna baths and relaxation by the water undoubtedly go hand in hand with summer and vacation. The newest sauna venture in Åland is called Saunax.ax, which rents out its luxurious sauna raft on Mariehamn's eastern beach. The sauna raft M/S Sauna Marin has place for up to 12 people and can be rented with or without a captain. Although the sauna raft has a consistently high standard and is equipped with a sound system, a rooftop terrace, a shower, a lounge with a refrigerator, and excellent heat in the sauna, perhaps the most luxurious thing still is that this sauna can be booked for 3 or 6 hours, or even for a whole day – according to your wishes. Now that's luxury!
8. Grelsby Strand Hotel – Accommodation with Character
Would you have guessed that back in the 1930s, Grelsby Strand Hotel housed a mental hospital? Nowadays, the old hospital's rooms have been renovated and furnished into cosy hotel rooms in a peaceful and relaxing environment in the middle of the Åland main island. Thanks to the large banquet hall with both a kitchen and a bar counter, the hotel is perfect for larger groups and celebrations such as weddings or anniversaries. The large courtyard invites you to enjoy sunny days, and a beach sauna with a bathing jetty is perfect for evening relaxation. The bakery Johannas hembakta fills the yard with a delightful scent of freshly baked goods, and from here, it's only a short walk to the Stallhagen brewery where you can enjoy a beer or indulge in a well-cooked lunch or dinner made from local ingredients. Additionally, Åland Golf Club with the top course Slottsbanan is only a 10-minute drive away, making the accommodation ideal for golfers, among others.
9. Travel with Finnlines' New Finncanopus
Only two years have passed since Viking Line's newest ship, Viking Glory, began operating to Åland, and Finnlines' new freight and passenger ship, Finnsirius, joined the Kapellskär–Långnäs–Naantali (Sweden–Åland–Finland) route in autumn 2023. This year, we can rejoice at another new ship: Finnsirius' sister ship Finncanopus started operating to Åland in February 2024. The new ship is equipped with emission-reducing technology that makes it more environmentally friendly. Even in the choice of the ship's equipment and interior, environmental thinking has been a focus; furniture made from recycled materials has been chosen, and printed materials such as menus and price lists have been replaced by digital screens and apps. Since tranquillity and relaxation are paramount on Finnlines' ships, there’s no traditional cruise program but instead, you can enjoy the scenic views or rejuvenate in the ship’s spa.
10. Explore 3 New Nature Trails
How does a hike in beautiful archipelago nature combined with historical sites and impressive natural phenomena sound to you? This year, you can hike along three new nature trails that are marked with signs, white-painted stones and poles, or white ribbons.
The trail on the island of Boxö in Saltvik is about 6.7 km long and takes you to an old coastal battery. The Boxö battery was the largest Russian installation in Åland during World War I, and together with other coastal artillery, it was part of a defence system aimed at blocking the Finnish Gulf. Before the battery was demolished in 1919, there were both powerful cannons and even a railway on the island! Boxö also houses Åland's largest cave, with an opening almost 8 metres wide and 4 metres high, extending 12 metres into the rock. Boat trips to the island are organised with or without a guide.
Kasberget in Saltvik is Åland's second highest peak, rising 119 metres above sea level. Here, and on the two other nearby peaks Orrdalsklint and Långbergen, Åland's history began. 10,000 years ago, the peaks emerged as small islets from the sea, and the first people in Åland settled here about 6,000 years ago. In ancient times, fires were lit on Kasberget to warn of approaching enemies. At the top, there is a fantastic view, and along the trail, you can also overlook the Åsgårda nature reserve with magnificent stone fields.
Lillnäsberget nature trail is approximately 3.8 km long and located in Kastelholm, on the mediaeval Castle lands. Along the hiking trail that has some steep sections, you'll encounter beautiful nature and history in a nice mix. The area used to be a Royal Manor established by the Swedish king Gustaf Wasa in the 16th century. In 1982, the area was established as a nature reserve. Here, there are plenty of moss- and lichen-covered spruces of remarkable dimensions, although the largest giant was sadly toppled by the storm Alfrida in early 2019. The hiking trail also passes three Bronze Age cairns that testify to the time when the water level was 15 metres higher than nowadays.
Site updated 4.4.2024
